London's theatre distinct, also known as the West End or Theatreland, is home to around 40 different theatres.
It's an area that's filled with life and excitement. You can't visit London without at least taking a walk through the area. However, nothing beats seeing a show in the heart of the West End. It's a magical experience that will stick with you.
Where Is It?
The theatre district is a reasonably large area of London. It's bound by Trafalgar Square, Tottenham Court Road, Covent Garden, and Piccadilly Circus. Consequently, the best option to get there from The Darlington Hotel is to take the central line from Lancaster Gate to Tottenham Court Road. You'll find most of the theatres and excitement on Shaftesbury Avenue. If you're lucky, you might get to see a red carpet filled with celebrities.
Where To Get Tickets
There are ticket booths all over London and the West End. You can get tickets on almost every street corner. One of the most reputable stands is TKTS. You can find it on the south side of Leicester Square.
Show Schedules
Most shows will start at 7:30 pm. You can expect there to be a 20-minute interval for drinks and refreshments.
If you're interested in a matinee, there is usually one on the weekend and one during the week. Most shows have one day off per week. Traditionally Sunday is the night off. However, family-aimed shows will often choose to take Monday night off instead.
Pre Theatre Dinner and Post Theatre Drinks
Part of the West End experience is having a meal before the show and some great drinks afterwards. Wherever you go in the theatre district, you'll find restaurants and bars. Most will offer a pre-theatre menu. Restaurants aim this at diners who want to eat a quick, early meal so they can catch their shows.
When you leave the theatre, you can follow the sounds of happy voices to find a local bar for a drink. Furthermore, it is a great way to chat about the show you've just seen and soak in this vibrant atmosphere that is definitely unique to London.